Andy Coulson has been accused of being embroiled in the alleged hacking of a
senior government official’s phone after becoming an adviser to David
Cameron in Downing Street.

A former Labour minister said he was approached by a “senior government official” who claims his phone was hacked, his rubbish stolen and he became the subject of covert surveillance last summer.

The official, who has not been identified, claims the illicit activities coincided with negative media briefing which he suspects was “orchestrated by Coulson”.

He allegedly reported his concerns to the Cabinet Secretary and to the police in July 2010. However, in a statement last night, the Cabinet Office said Sir Gus O’Donnell, the Cabinet Secretary, had “no record or recollection” of such a complaint.

A spokesman said the story was “complete rubbish” and “no one thinks it took place”.

Mr Cameron was yesterday questioned in Parliament over the allegations and pledged to investigate the charges.

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Labour MPs suspect that the Prime Minister might have been warned by the intelligence services over the allegations of “potential criminality” at the “heart of government”.

Nick Raynsford, the Labour MP who was local government minister, said: “I have been approached by an absolutely impeccable source, who has a lifetime of work in the public sector and was a senior official.

“He has told me that last summer he suspected his phone was hacked, his dustbin searched and covert surveillance took place on him.

“At the time, he was the subject of negative media briefing which he suspects was orchestrated by Andy Coulson at No 10. He complained to Sir Gus O’Donnell who advised him on the issue and put him in contact with the police.

“He now wishes this information to be put in the public domain.

“David Cameron must disclose as a matter of urgency whether he was warned of this incident, which suggests that potential criminality may have taken place at the heart of government.”

If the allegation is proven, it would mean suggestions that Mr Coulson oversaw the use of illicit information gathering are not restricted to his time as editor of the News of the World but continued during his time in government.

However, amid strong Government denials, Mr Raynsford is under pressure to disclose the identity of the official, said to have been a senior figure in a government department or quango. He is said to feel strongly about the situation and may soon identify himself.

Mr Cameron was yesterday confronted with questions about the situation by two Labour MPs, including Mr Raynsford.

Barry Sheerman, another Labour backbencher, asked the Prime Minister if he had been briefed by the intelligence services about the phone hacking and surveillance of a senior public servant.

Mr Cameron replied: “We do not discuss intelligence issues in the House.

“If the honourable gentleman wants to come and talk to me about this issue, he can absolutely beat a path to my door and I will see him.”

The Prime Minister has repeatedly defended Mr Coulson’s work in government saying that “no one had questioned” his conduct in office.

Last night, a spokesman for the Cabinet Office said: “The Government would take any such accusations very seriously.

“As with any report of illegal activity, if such an accusation took place the Cabinet Secretary would have referred them immediately to the police.

“However, the Cabinet Secretary has no record or recollection of such an accusation being made.”